When I was younger, I watched several episodes of Def Poetry Jam. I remember it coming on really late at night on HBO, so most nights I wasn’t able to catch it. What I really loved about the show was that it wasn’t mindless, it was a different form of reality TV that illustrated to viewers how alive poetry can become when it’s spoken.

I never saw the TV show on air but I came across several segments of it on YouTube a few years ago when I discovered Suheir Hammad’s poetry. It’s such a fantastic group of talents. I wish the show was still on or at least that there was something like it on today. This is way more appealing than the current reality TV fare.

Yay Gemineye! I miss Def Poetry Jam. I was just a little too young to appreciate it when it was on, but I wish that it was still on. It’s kind of amazing to me that it was ever on. I love going through Youtube videos of old episodes. So. good. Thanks for sharing.

I wish Def Poetry Jam was still on too. I absolutely loved it! And a little off topic – did you ever see “Love Jones”? That was my first intro to that type of poetry and I still love that movie to this day!